NEVADA COUNTY, CA (MPG) - The Nevada County Historical Society held its annual Volunteers Picnic last Sunday, Sept. 29, at Condon Park in Grass Valley.

The picnic recognized and thanked the almost 100 volunteers who attended, and who staff the Historical Society's museums. The Historical Society also presented three awards to people who have enriched local history.

Elinor Barnes received the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her nine years of service as a member of the Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission, from which she recently retired at age 90. She also contributed an article to the Historical Society Bulletin about the visit of Diego Rivera in 1930 to sketch Nevada County miners.

Steve Fry received the Citizen of the Year Award, recognizing the work he has done in installing landmark plaques in the area in recent years. Fry is a longtime Historical Society board member, a regular volunteer at the Searls Library and served for many years as a Landmarks Commissioner.

Finally, the Distinguished Service Award, which is not restricted to members of the Historical Society, was awarded to Heidi Sproat, in recognition of her volunteer work for the Truckee-Donner Historical Society, where she serves as a board member and webmaster. The recognition also included her research and authorship of a number of applications, including Truckee's Two Chinatowns, which have led to the Board of Supervisors landmarking several sites in Truckee in recent years.

The purpose of the Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission is to promote the general welfare of Nevada County and its citizens through official recognition, recording, marking, preserving and promoting the historical resources of Nevada County.

For more information, call 530-264-0115.